Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy very much. I am aware that the progression of this project is of great interest to him and the local community. Indeed, I visited the area with him not so long ago and met community groups.

The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. While the greater portion of this funding is to become available from 2026 to 2030, many road projects continue to be progressed. Projects already delivered in County Cork include the N22 from Baile Bhuirne to Macroom and the upgraded Dunkettle interchange.

The N25 Midleton–Youghal scheme includes bypasses of the villages of Castlemartyr and Killeagh, which the Deputy mentioned. The project would improve connectivity along the N25 corridor for all road users, including for freight traffic to the ports of Cork and Waterford and Rosslare Europort. The Deputy has advocated this very strongly. The project would also deliver quality-of-life improvements to the residents of Killeagh and Castlemartyr, reducing congestion, pollution and noise. This is in addition to the improvement in safety that would be provided for both villages.

In 2022, my Department provided an allocation to Cork County Council to progress a strategic assessment report for the N25 Midleton–Youghal scheme. This was submitted to the Department in January 2023. The concept and feasibility phase is now approaching completion. Cork County Council is preparing tender documents for the procurement of technical advisers to take the project through its next phases. This will include the selection of a preferred route option, along with detailed design and environmental evaluation. In 2024, this project received an allocation of €450,000.

I assure the Deputy that the delivery of this project remains an absolute priority of the Government. As I have discussed with him directly and as I know he appreciates, I will be announcing the funding for 2025 very shortly.

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